97th Operations Group changes command

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Levin Boland
  • 97 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 97th Operations Group held a change of command ceremony inside Hangar 517, July 16.

Col. Bill Spangenthal, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, presided over the ceremony as Col. Michael Finch assumed command from Col. Ted Detwiler. Spangenthal began with remarks about Detwiler's accomplishments while commanding the 97th OG.

"His leadership ensured the wing was able to accomplish our training mission every day," Spangenthal said. According to Spangenthal, Detwiler did exactly what the Air Force expected of him and more. Detwiler took the OG to new heights and he raised the standard of mobility training. He also oversaw new Radar Approach Control and airfield projects, the opening of a new drop zone, deployments of patriot batteries to Turkey and deliveries of food to Haitian refugees.

Spangenthal also spoke about the achievements of Finch during his career, which led to him assuming command of the 97th OG.

"Fortunately for the wing, we have received another outstanding leader - Col. Mike Finch," Spangenthal said. "Mike has a diverse and highly acclaimed background and it is especially well suited to our mission here. He has C-21, C-141 Starlifter and C-17 Globemaster III experience to include test and evaluation. Mike has also been a deputy Operations Group commander."

During the ceremony, Finch expressed how he is grateful for the opportunity to command the 97th OG.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to command the 97th Ops Group," Finch said. "To each of you in the Operations Group, your team here is simply remarkable. Last year you trained the largest number of students to date: more than 2,000 students on 4,600 sorties. You also are applying innovation to ensure that you provide world-class training more efficiently than ever before. There is no place our family would rather be right now than Altus AFB and no position I would rather have than the Ops Group commander."

Spangenthal closed out his remarks with high expectations for Finch.

"We have replaced the best with the best," Spangenthal said. "As such we can expect even greater results as we look into an exciting future here at Altus AFB."